Origins in American Education
“Libenter homines id quod volunt credunt.”
—Caesar, Bell. Gall., iii:8.
[Men believe readily what they want to.]
“Great additions have of late been made to our knowledge of the past; the long conspiracy against the revelation of truth has gradually given away.... It has become impossible for the historical writer of the present age to trust without reserve even to the most respected secondary authorities. The honest student finds himself continually deserted, retarded, misled by the classics of historical literature.” —Preface of “Cambridge Modern History.”